Paradorn Srichaphan

Srichaphan has now officially retired after recently contemplating a comeback of sorts, he has played a couple of exhibition matches in Hong Kong but says he is now a family man which the demands of the tour are not conjucive to.

He also stars in the Thai film, Bang Rajan 2, which is of course the sequel to Bang Rajan the Movie.

From AP:

Former world No. 9 Paradorn Srichaphan says the injured right wrist that sidelined him for nearly three years and has been operated on twice is now fine, but that he's torn about returning to men's tennis because of commitments off the tennis court.

"It's totally OK now," Paradorn said at a news conference to promote the upcoming Hong Kong Tennis Classic exhibition tournament, where he will play with Venus Williams, Maria Sharapova and several retired men's players.

The 30-year-old Thai, who has five career titles, played doubles with compatriot Danai Udomchoke at the Bangkok Open in September but hasn't extended his comeback so far.

The former Asian No. 1 said he is concerned about his fitness level and non-tennis commitments. During his break from the game, Paradorn married former Miss Universe Natalie Glebova, launched a men's herbal supplement line and is currently shooting a Thai historical movie.

"A lot of things happened. I got married. I have family now. A lot of stuff to take care of," Paradorn said.

He said if he can get fit in time he may enter hard court tournaments in Miami and Indian Wells in March.

Lost his first competitive tennis match in two and a half years when he and Thai partner Udomchoke surrendered a 6-1 first set to go down to Germany's Michael Kohlmann and the Austrian Alexander Peya.

"I hit the ball OK, of course there is still a lot of work to go. I want to return to the ATP, I think I still have the ability. I have to look after my wrist, I can't make a strict timetable. But I hope to play from January, maybe in Chennai"

Since his wrist surgery, the Thai - who once took time off from the tour to serve for his country at war - married a former beauty queen, raced motorcycles competitively and has opened two restaurants. He has not ruled out some sort of comeback in 2010, but added that it would be a refined one given he has other priorities in his wife and wants to be a father.

BANGKOK - Thai star Paradorn Srichaphan is targetting a return to the ATP tour after making his comeback from two and a half years out through injury with a doubles defeat at the Thailand Open on Wednesday.

The Asian ace, who stood ninth in the world six years ago, went down in the first round with Davis Cup team-mate Danai Udomchoke as the home pair lost to German Michael Kohlmann and Alexander Peya of Austria, 2-6, 6-1, 10-6 (match tie break).

"I would have loved to have come back in the singles," admitted the 30 year old Paradorn, who single-handedly sparked tennis interest in Thailand a decade ago.

"But I knew physically I was not ready. I've only been able to train with the racket for the past two weeks."

The match was the first of any kind on the ATP tour for Paradorn, bothered by wrist problems which have required two bouts of surgery, one in Los Angeles, the other in Bangkok.

He last played at Indian Wells in March 2007.

Despite the loss at the Impact Arena, the winner of five career titles, the last in 2004, said he was pleased with his initial efforts.

"I hit the ball OK, of course there is still a lot of work to go. I want to return to the ATP, I think I still have the ability."

"But I have to look after my wrist and cannot make a strict timetable. I'm hoping to play from January, maybe in Chennai, India."

Seven months after his second wrist operation, Paradorn said the doctors will not be able to tell him if he is able to continue his career until the end of the year.

"I need to train for more days from now on, but I don't want to do a lot of travelling," said Paradorn, who is married to Russian former Miss Universe Natalie Glebova. "I have a wife now and tennis is not everything."

"At the end of the year I should know a lot more about my future."

Copyright 2009 AFP. All rights reserved.

Paradorn Srichaphan will return to action in Bangkok, Thailand, next week after 2 and a half years absent from the tour due to an ongoing wrist injury. Srichaphan will partner compatriot Danai Udomchoke in the doubles event.